Havana Embraces Electric Revolution as Cubans Turn to E-Bikes and Vehicles
The adoption of electric vehicles in Cuba, driven by economic necessity and innovative local companies, is revolutionizing the transportation sector. This feature delves into the technological advancements and challenges faced in this transition.
Havana is famed for the colorful vintage cars that can still be puttered around its streets and are a popular subject for visitors’ photographs. However, these days, Cubans are just as likely to be found getting around quickly and quietly on electric scooters made with Chinese parts.
“Electric motorcycles are solving a lot of problems in Cuba. They are already used for almost everything,” Omar Cortina, a Cuban hotel worker who recently purchased his first electric vehicle—a lime-green scooter powered by a lithium battery told Reuters. This shift marks a significant change in Cuba’s transportation landscape, as reported by Reuters.
Until recently, Cuba’s roads had changed little in the six decades since former leader Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution: the old cars puffing sooty exhaust, rutted pavement, and light traffic. Electric vehicles are proving a godsend for many in the communist-run nation.
According to official data, between 2020 and 2022, the last year for which figures are available, Cuba-based companies produced more than 23,000 electric vehicles. Since then, demand has grown alongside an economic crisis that has slashed fuel supply and public transportation.
Fuel for combustion-powered engines has been scarce in Cuba for years, prompting hours-long or sometimes days-long queues. Earlier this year, a fivefold price hike meant a typical 40-liter tank of gas cost more than a state worker’s average monthly wage, making it far out of reach for most.
Public transportation could be more palatable. Buses in the Havana area are far fewer, more crowded, and more uncomfortable than in previous years. According to state-run media, half the routes to points outside the capital have been eliminated this year as fuel and spare parts dwindle.
Technological Innovations
These dire circumstances have helped drive demand for the products of newly formed companies like Caribbean Electric Vehicles (Vedca), said company director Julio Oscar Perez. The firm, a joint venture between Chinese investor Tianjin Dongxing Industrial and Cuban state bicycle manufacturer Minerva, has produced over 2,000 scooters, bikes, and mini-tricycle trucks in Cuba with Chinese parts.
“I think we’re reaching a tipping point,” Perez said in an interview with Reuters. “That is, not just seeing electric vehicles as an alternative to mobility, but also solving other problems that exist because of fuel limitations.”
On a recent weekday visit to the company’s plant outside Havana, some of Vedca’s 64 employees assembled plastic parts, soldered wires, and tightened bolts in an orderly assembly line. In contrast, others greeted customers arriving for pick-up. Perez said the company had also begun testing a new electric tractor and experimenting with other electric-powered heavy machinery.
Other small domestic companies sell electric bikes, ranging from makeshift to upscale. The government recently authorized imports of far pricier electric vehicles. According to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, automobile imports from the neighboring United States have soared to $24.6 million thus far in 2024, with a growing class of new business owners attracted to more luxurious electric and hybrid options, including Teslas.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The shift to electric vehicles is about more than just convenience. It represents a significant economic and environmental shift for Cuba. With fuel prices soaring and availability dwindling, electric cars offer many Cubans a more sustainable and economically viable alternative.
Longstanding U.S. sanctions have exacerbated Cuba’s economic crisis, limiting the country’s ability to import fuel and other essential goods. This has made the transition to electric vehicles not just a choice but a necessity for many. The cost of maintaining old, fuel-guzzling cars has become untenable for most Cubans, pushing them towards more economical electric alternatives.
Moreover, the environmental benefits of electric vehicles must be balanced. The shift from gasoline to electric power reduces the emission of harmful pollutants, contributing to better air quality in urban areas like Havana. This is particularly significant given the antiquated state of many of Cuba’s vehicles, notorious for their high emissions.
For individuals like Omar Cortina, the benefits are immediate and practical. “In a few years, all transportation will be electric,” he predicted before zooming off on his new purchase. This optimism is echoed by many Cubans who see electric vehicles as a solution to the country’s transportation woes.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the optimistic outlook, transitioning to electric vehicles in Cuba is challenging. Infrastructure remains a significant hurdle. The country’s electricity grid, already strained, needs substantial upgrades to support the increased demand for electric vehicles. Charging stations still need to be more extensive, and the availability of spare parts and maintenance services for electric vehicles is limited.
The Cuban government has acknowledged these challenges and is taking steps to address them. Investments in infrastructure, including expanding the electricity grid and installing more charging stations, are underway. Additionally, initiatives to train mechanics in electric vehicle maintenance are being implemented to ensure that the growing number of electric vehicles on the road can be adequately serviced.
There is also the issue of affordability. While electric scooters and bikes offer a more economical option than traditional vehicles, the initial cost can still be prohibitive for many Cubans. The government’s decision to authorize imports of more expensive electric cars may cater to a niche market of new business owners. Still, it needs to do more to address the average citizen’s needs.
The involvement of international partners, particularly from China, has been crucial in advancing Cuba’s electric vehicle industry. Joint ventures like Vedca are helping build local capacity and expertise while providing the necessary components to manufacture electric vehicles domestically. This collaboration is expected to grow, with further investments and partnerships anticipated in the coming years.
A Transformative Shift
Adopting electric vehicles in Cuba represents a transformative shift in the country’s transportation landscape. Driven by economic necessity and supported by innovative local companies, electric cars are becoming integral to daily life for many Cubans. While fraught with challenges, this transition offers significant economic, environmental, and practical benefits.
As Cuba continues to navigate its economic crisis and address the logistical hurdles of this transition, the future of transportation looks increasingly electric. The collaboration with international partners, investments in infrastructure, and the growing acceptance of electric vehicles among the population are all positive indicators of this shift.
Also read: Cuban Sugar Industry Faces Crisis Amid Historical and Economic Challenges
In a country where vintage cars once symbolized a bygone era, electric vehicles now represent a new chapter of innovation and sustainability. The roads of Havana, once dominated by the iconic old cars, are gradually giving way to a quieter, cleaner, and more efficient mode of transportation. As highlighted by Reuters’ reporting, this evolution underscores the resilience and adaptability of the Cuban people in the face of adversity.
